lastminute.com
, online provider of travel and leisure solutions,
today announced the launch of lastminute.co.jp
, a Japanese version of
its website, in a move to expand its global presence to ten
countries.

lastminute.com set up a Japanese office in Tokyo in February 2002 as
part of a joint venture between Kinki Nippon Tourist Co. Ltd.,
Nippon Travel Agency Co. Ltd., Mitsubishi Corporation/MC Capital
Fund, Credit Saison Co. Ltd and Japan Efund, to provide late
availability inspirational travel products and services.

Due to the strength of its investors in Japan, lastminute.co.jp has
managed to source a full range of last minute products and services
in just four months since closure of the Joint Venture agreement. The
site will include extensive flight inventory supplied by
approximately 30 different airlines, over 4,000 hotels and inns
throughout Japan, wide-ranging package tours, over 100 restaurants in
Tokyo, gifts and entertainment tickets. Importantly for the
lastminute.com network, much of this newly sourced inventory will
become available to all lastminute.com customers not just those
living in Japan.

The launch of the Japanese site is to be supported with special
promotions such as the giveaway of 1,000 free room nights to 500
lucky couples, and discounted package tours to destinations such as
Vietnam and
Hawaii.

lastminute.com chief executive Brent Hoberman
is delighted to see the
lastminute.com business concept successfully rolled out to Japan and
comments:

“This important new initiative into the Japanese market will extend
our brand into 10 countries worldwide.

Given the Japanese travel market alone is worth approximately 152
billion Euros annually, and given the strength of our partners in
Japan, we expect lastminute.com to play an important role in the
Japanese market.”

Related stories on ITN:

(08/02/2002) Japanese Joint Venture for lastminute.com.

——-